Iraq Abolishes Jewish Courts; Existed for More Than 100 Years

The Iraqi Ministry of Justice has abolished the Jewish religious court and the Jewish court of appeals which were established in Bagdad more than 100 years ago, it was reported here today.

Successive Iraqi regimes had given these courts legal authority to deal with communal and personal matters affecting Jews, including issues of marriage, divorce and inheritance. Emigration of the members of the courts and the lack of qualified candidates to fill vacancies was given as reason for the government action. Most of the Iraqi Jewish population was evacuated to Israel earlier this year.